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On 22 March 2010, it was announced that Eurotunnel was in discussions with the Intergovernment Commission, which oversees the tunnel, with the aim of amending elements of the safety code governing the tunnel's usage.

Most saliently, there is a proposal to remove the requirement that trains be able to split within the tunnel, and each part of the train be driven out to opposite ends.

If adopted, this change will lead to smaller trains being able to transit the tunnel.

Eurotunnel Chairman & Chief Executive Jacques Gounon said that experience gained from the disruptions of December 2009 had shown that shorter trains are easier to evacuate in an emergency.

He added that he hoped the liberalisation of rules would allow entry into the market of competitors such as Deutsche Bahn.

Sources at Eurotunnel suggested that Deutsche Bahn could enter the market at the next timetable change, which would be December 2012.